Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatch Concept Study

Needless to say, it doesn't take much effort to come up with a better design than Subaru's original Impreza hatch, but that wouldn't be fair to the creator of this independent concept study. This realistic computer generated proposal for a more distinct and sporty-looking Impreza WRX STI with a wedgy-shaped three-door hatchback body is the work of an artist that goes by the alias 'Grid'. Check out the rest of the photos in the gallery after the jump and tell us what you think about the study by leaving a comment below.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

13-Year-Old Indonesian Masters Subaru Impreza Group N Rally Car

While other children his age try to complete a rally stage from the comfort and ease of their computer, a 13 year old Indonesian schoolboy, called Sean Galael is going for the real deal. The promising youngster has attracted media attention after winning the first two rounds of the KFC Junior Rally Sprint in Indonesia in a Prodrive Impreza Group N rally car. And yes, we're talking about the same spec high-powered Impreza as used in the Production World Rally Championship. Impressive to say the least.

In 2008, aged at just 12, Sean co-drove Prodrive's own works test driver, Dave Maslen, and former Australian rally champion, Cody Crocker, to victories in the Indonesian Rally Championship. For this year, the young Indonesian will once again sit in the passenger's side co-driving the Serge Motorsport Prodrive Impreza N14 in the Indonesian series.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Subaru Announces First All-New Boxer Engines in 21 Years

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), Subaru's parent company, has released details on its third-generation four-cylinder boxer engine that will be available in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. This is the first overall renewal since the second generation was introduced in 1989. The horizontally opposed flat 4 has been a mainstay of Subaru's Impreza, Forrester and Legacy models for some time.

Subaru claims that fuel efficiency is up by 10%, thanks to a compacter combustion chamber and longer stroke, variable-valve timing (which Subaru calls Active Valve Control System) on both the intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons and connection rods, a more efficient and compact oil pump and separate engine cooling circuitry for both the block and head.

Power for the 2.0 L engine remains the same at 109kw / 150HP, while torque is up 5 Nm to 196.

The new boxer engine has a slightly higher compression ratio of 10.5 (up from 10.2), a shorter bore (84 mm, down from 92) and longer stroke (90 mm, up from 75). Subaru has yet to release details about changes to the 2.5-liter unit.

The first Subaru to receive the third-generation boxer engine will be the Forester.

By Tristan Hankins